Canada Day in Tantramar offers plenty of food, fireworks and family fun

Sierra Lee came prepared for the weather during last year's Canada Day festivities at the Bill Johnstone Memorial Park in Sackville. - Katie Tower

Number of events planned in local communities to celebrate July 1 holiday

Tantramar residents will have plenty of options when it comes to celebrating Canada Day this year – with lots of family-friendly fun, food and musical entertainment on tap to keep people of all ages busy.

From Dorchester right through to Cape Tormentine, a number of events are scheduled across the region this Sunday as Canada celebrates its birthday.

Sackville

In Sackville, the events kick off at noon at Bill Johnstone Memorial Park where residents can enjoy an afternoon full of activities, including a barbecue, live musical entertainment, face painting, a bouncy castle, crafts and more.

The opening festivities will get underway at noon with the air cadets marching in and the town crier officially kicking off the celebrations. Guest speakers will then provide opening remarks.

A celebration of the new George Stanley sculpture will follow, including a play celebrating Stanley’s maple leaf flag design called Flag Flap! Residents are then invited to visit the sculpture on Main Street and get a free polaroid photo taken with him.

Music from the classic rock Cool Water Band will get under way around 12:30 p.m.

At 3 p.m., visitors are invited to see Sackville’s sights through a guided walking tour (meet at the bandstand).

Families are then encouraged to come on out to Lillas Fawcett Park later in the afternoon to enjoy some children’s activities from 4-6 p.m.

Also on tap again this year is the annual Canada Day multi-k fun run/walk, which will take place at 11 a.m. with registration starting at 10:30 a.m.

And at Boultenhouse Heritage Centre, from 2-5 p.m., is the annual strawberry shortcake social, featuring live entertainment, games, tours and refreshments.

Cape Tormentine also has plenty on tap for the whole family, with a full day of activities planned, starting off with a giant bake sale and yard sale at 10 a.m. at the Legion. There will also be free hay rides for the kids from 12-2 p.m. and a free barbecue starting at 11 a.m. A clam chowder and chili supper will be served from 4-6 p.m.

Evening activities will take place at the Cape Tormentine Beach Campground starting at 7 p.m. with the Bayfield Cape Tormentine Fire Department hosting a barbecue, face-painting, games, prizes for kids, music and of course, their amazing Canada Day fireworks display at dusk - all for a freewill offering.

The Legion will close the evening off with a dance from 9:30 p.m. until midnight, with music by the Capers.

Dorchester

In Dorchester, the celebrations will get under way at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Centre and will run until 3 p.m.

Hosted by the Keillor House Museum, the presentation of junior mayor will kick off the events, followed up by an afternoon of children’s games and live music provided by Freefall. There will also be cake and ice cream served.

Port Elgin

Kicking off the festivities in Port Elgin, activities will get under way at Centennial Park at 11 a.m. with opening ceremonies, a free barbecue, refreshments and cake.

From noon until 2 p.m. there will be fun and games for all ages with Par-t-Perfect, followed up by various other children’s activities from 2-3 p.m. There will be baseball games at the school from 3-5 p.m.

Monro Heritage Museum will be hosting its official grand opening of the season with an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served all day.